Principal Investigator
Nicholas D. Barber, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Earth & Environmental Geoscience
Ph.D. in Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, UK, 2022.
Primary advisor: Prof. Marie Edmonds. Secondary supervisors: Prof. Helen Williams, and Dr. Frances Jenner
B.S. in Geoscience (Distinction) with a Minor in Chemistry, Drexel University, 2018, Advisor: Prof. Loÿc Vanderkluysen
Hometown: Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, USA
Parker Comisac (graduated)
B.S. Earth and Environmental Geoscience (EEG), Class of 2024
Role in VIP Lab: Senior thesis researcher
Thesis title: Petrology of lavas from Hyang-Argopuro volcano, East Java, Sunda Arc
Graduation plans: Pursue a Master’s degree in structural geology. As of August 2024; Parker has begun an M.S. in Geoscience at the University of Arizona, working with Prof. Jonny Wu. Good luck Parker!
Hometown: Jacksonville, Alabama, USA
Allison Hidalgo
B.S. Earth and Environmental Geoscience (EEG) & B.A. Computer Science; Class of 2025
Role in VIP Lab: Senior thesis researcher
Preliminary thesis title: Melt inclusion reconstructions of the magmatic plumbing system at Mt. Ijen, East Java, Indonesia
Summary of research project: For my senior thesis, I will be using melt inclusions to determine the water and CO2 content in scoria rocks from past eruptions in the Ijen Caldera Complex in Indonesia. By combining this data with other textural and physical evidence from samples collected, the aim is to understand the scale and energy of these eruptions.
Graduation plans: I’m still exploring my options, but I’m considering a career in environmental consulting or possibly pursuing graduate studies in a geophysics-related field.
Hometown: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
India Balkaran
Intended major: B.S. Earth and Environmental Geoscience
Role in VIP Lab: Summer research student
Summary of research project: The Ijen Caldera Complex in East Java, Indonesia is one of the least understood volcanic systems in the world. This summer I helped Professor Barber collect samples from this caldera to study the mineralogy and petrogenesis of these deposits with the purpose of better understanding how Ijen Caldera Complex was formed.
Graduation plans: I’m undecided about what I would like to do after graduation.
Hometown: Georgetown, Guyana/Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Join the VIP research group!
Please contact Nick about opportunities to participate in our group’s research. See our Research page for information about future, current, and past research projects
Volcanology and Igneous Petrology Group @ W&L 